First ACO World Chess Championship

72 players from 25 countries, ages ranging from 8 to 79, 7 rating groups, 9 games, 10 days in a 5-star luxury beach hotel, many new friendships as well as a gala dinner in the most beautiful ballroom of the world in the famous 7-star hotel Burj-Al-Arab – these are some facts around the the first ACO World Amateur Chess Championship of the newly founded Amateur Chess Organization (ACO), which took place in Dubai from 6-15, July 2012.

The venue of the event was the award-winning 5-star beach hotel Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa which has been awarded the world's best family resort in 2011.

For this reason the playing conditions have been remarkable: chandeliers in the playing hall, each board had an own big table of more than 2 metres breadth, luxurious atmosphere at the daily dinner buffet which has been put up exclusively for the participants as well as free drinks during the games left nothing to be desired.

Not only the playing conditions have been remarkable, but so have been the far journeys of the participants. Players from more than 25 countries flow more thena 6000 kilometres on average to attend the tournament. The youngest player with the age of 8 came from Kazakhstan while the oldest player from Switzerland was 79 years old.

Arthur William Harutian (8, Spain) vs. Amir Zarif (8, Kazakhstan)

Despite hard fought games for the first ACO World Titles all games run in a fair manner with not a single reclamation. The tournament remained undecided till the last round as there were many players with chances to win the title.

The highlight of the event was the prize-giving ceremony with a gala dinner in the ballroom of the 7-star hotel Burj-Al-Arab

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The Al-Falak ballroom, the most luxurious ballroom of the world

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"Tonight, all are winners" announced the ACO President Lothar Hirneise in his closing speech

The next ACO World Amateur Chess Championship takes place in Crete in the 4-star All-Inclusive Luxury Hotel Aquis Arina Sand from 11-20 May, 2013. Many participants from Dubai have already confirmed their participation in Crete. The ACO offers special conditions for registrations till 31 September, 2012.

What is the ACO?

The Amateur Chess Organization is the new World Chess Organization for amateur chess players up to 2400 ELO.

For whom has the ACO been founded?

99% of all chess players have got less than 2400 ELO and do not earn a living from chess. The ACO has been founded for the biggest group of chess players, the amateurs.

Why has the ACO been founded?

As the vast majority of chess players are amateurs and as there has been no chess organization in the past that exclusively represents the interests of amateur chess players, the establishment of the ACO was a necessary consequence.

How can I support the ACO?

If you are a chess enthusiast and want to help promoting amateur chess you can support the ACO by becoming a partner.

Is ACO connected to FIDE?

No. The ACO is a completely independent organization. The ACO considers itself as a complementary organization but without restricting federal structures.

Comments

Except that the ACO doesn't represent a thing in the chess world. FIDE is already representing the interests of under 2400 players already. Who owns the business, who are its officers what is membership and all of these things are carefully avoided in the outline above. Why does an amateur player need representation and to whom is he represented. Without a whole bunch more info the ACO isn't a breath of fresh air more than a business venture with certain hotels.

I would greatly appreciate it if this report were represented with the photos of the winners of all the categories and their names boldly displayed for the entire chess.com world to see.

Special recognition should also be given to Ovie Solomon Adagha, a Nigerian and the only African in GROUP C (1800-2000), with the lowest rating in the group (1800) turning out to become the winner and Group C World Champion with a strong 7/9 score.

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